Life During the Middle Ages

Origins of Feudalism In Europe as part of a response to Viking, Magyar, and Muslim invaders. Kings found themselves with a need to defend their families and nobles Nobles built castles- typically located on a hill to provide shelter and defense during an attack.

Knights To defend their castles, nobles needed trained soldiers. (Most important: Knights- highly skilled, fought on horseback) Being a knight was expensive (armor, weapons, etc.) and therefore knights demanded payment for their services. Typically most knights were paid with land.

Feudal System Land given to a knight for his service was called a fief. Those that accepted such a fief were called vassals. The exchange of land for services is called the Feudal System (Feudalism)

Feudal Duties Lord and vassals had duties to fulfill for one another. Examples of knight’s duties: provide military service to his lord, fealty, pay ransom if lord is captured, etc. Examples of lord’s duties: fair treatment, not overly demanding of time or money, judge in disputes between knights, and to protect those attacked by enemies.

Feudal Complications Sometimes hard to distinguish who owed service to whom. – Person could be both a lord and a vassal at the same time. – One knight could serve many lords – Rules may apply differently in different areas

Manorial System Medieval economic system Built around large estates called manors. Manors- generally owned by wealthy lords or knights bound by feudal duties. Being bound by feudal duties left many lords unable to farm their land – peasants farmed manor fields.

Peasants Manor lords gave peasants protection and plots of land to cultivate for themselves as an exchange for services from the peasants. – Serfs- workers legally tied to the manor. Not slavery, as workers could not be sold. Not free to leave manor or marry without permission hereditary

Free People Free people may also rent land from a lord. Also may include land-owning peasants, blacksmiths, millers, etc. Most manors also had a priest to provide spiritual needs.

Feudalism Simulation ! Explain the roles of … Lords Serfs Knights Vikings